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While Southern California is known for its sunny warm weather and great beaches, skiers and snowboarders are not left without recreation opportunities. Besides Big Bear, Southern Californians also can head over to Snow Valley Mountain Ski Resort.

Snow Valley is located in the San Bernardino Valley, situated right outside of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego. In fact, skiers and snowboarders in Los Angeles only have to travel about an hour and a half to get to the resort, and those in San Diego have only two hours of travel time. Snow Valley’s proximity to important cities makes it a perfect weekend destination.

Snow Valley Mountain Resort sits on one large mountain, but contains 14 different chair lifts and tons of different runs. Generally speaking, the resort is geared a bit more towards intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Snow Mountain offers more blue square (intermediate) and black diamond (advanced) runs than green circle (beginner) runs.

That being said, Snow Valley should not be ruled out for beginners. The resort does have a handful of beginner runs, which is really all a first or second time skier or snowboarder can take advantage of. Beginners should be attracted to Snow Valley due to their Lift ‘N Lesson offering— a discounted lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson for a good price. Snow Valley also offers more expensive private lessons and fairly priced group lessons.

Snow Valley Mountain also has a nice array of terrain parks for adventurous skiers and snowboarders and both designed and free style terrain parks are available.

Snow Valley awards those who plan ahead— if you’re an avid skier or snowboarder and plan to do a lot of shredding during the upcoming season, purchasing a season pass ahead of time pays off. A season pass purchased before December is $50 cheaper than one purchased in December— so buy early! Snow Valley also offers discounted passes for teens, children and seniors.

It is important for kids new to skiing and snowboarding to have very warm jackets — cold children are not fun to ski with, and definitely do not learn like they could otherwise. If your kid is new to skiing or snowboarding, don’t scrimp on the clothing!

Fall is the best time to start transplanting garden plants to the indoors or in a greenhouse for the winter. The kids can help too. A great preparation project the family can enjoy together is painting clay pots. Even if you don’t have a garden, your family can still do this fun outdoor project. The clay pots can be gifted to someone who can make use of them or you can buy plants for them and create an indoor garden.

Materials
Unglazed clay pots, sized according to your plants
Outdoor-safe ceramic paints
Paintbrushes
Clear acrylic coat spray
Old newspaper

Instructions
First, get started by determining what size clay pots you will need. The family can do this together by inventorying flowers and other plants that will be transplanted. Clay pots can be purchased at garden shops, home improvement centers and craft stores. When choosing them, be sure they have no cracks before heading out of the store. Also be sure to select pots that have not been coated or painted.

Once you have all the sizes you will need for transplanting, spread out some newspaper on an outdoor table or patio. This will be the work area. Split up the clay pots between everyone old enough to handle them and dole out paintbrushes. For easy access, paints can be squirted directly onto the newspaper like you would with a palette.

Each family member can paint a design on each of their clay pots. The designs can be planned for coordination or can be varied among individuals. Some may wish to use stencils. Once the painting is done, allow the pots to dry. Parents can then spray on a clear acrylic coat for added protection. Allow that to air dry outside as well.

The clay pots are now ready for some family planting ! To avoid contaminating the soil, avoid getting any paint on the inside of the clay pots where the plants will touch. Also, remember not to paint on any drainage holes in the clay pots. Those will be important to your plants when getting watered. For added fun, clay pot painting can be enjoyed along with friends and extended family as well.

When you’re heading for the back country in late fall or early spring, you prepare for the weather by wearing hiking boots that have traction, carrying a warm jacket and bringing a first aid kit.

Do the same thing for the vehicle you take to the trailhead. One of the greatest dangers of driving in those seasons is black ice. Black ice is clear water that’s frozen onto blacktop, making a slick patch that’s hard to see before you hit it. You should be just as prepared for that as you are for the outdoor adventure.

The most treacherous spots are areas that look dry but are darker than surrounding pavement; low-lying areas that may have caught some run-off water; and bridges and underpasses, which tend to freeze before the rest of the highway. Black ice can occur when the temperature drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, above freezing. As the temperature drops, the ice spreads.

Make sure your tires have the traction you’ll need; use snow tires if necessary. Winterize your car like you would your clothing. If you have four-wheel drive, use it, but don’t assume it will save you from black ice. Slow down, and don’t tailgate – that’s just asking for an accident. Anticipate traffic lights and exits, and start to gradually slow down before you would in better weather. Keep an emergency kit (think car first aid) in your car, with items like a folding shovel, sand, and a flashlight.

If you hit black ice, slow down but do NOT hit your brakes quickly or hard, or you’ll skid. Take your foot off the accelerator and change gears to neutral. Try to maneuver smoothly, and if your car spins, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the spin. If you skid, turn in the direction you want to go. If you have anti-lock brakes, don’t pump them; the system should kick in and let you slow down and steer.

With some planning, you can survive black ice after your wilderness adventure. Care for your vehicle like you do for yourself.

Climbing is a challenging enough sport by itself, but when thieves are shooting at you, a hard climb becomes that much tougher. That is exactly what happens to Sylvester Stallone in Cliffhanger, a movie in which he has to dodge both avalanches and bullets.

Stallone plays Gabe Walker, an expert climber who works for Rocky Mountain Rescue. After an aerial rescue from “The Tower” goes fatally wrong, Gabe disappears for nearly a year. When he finally comes back to pack up his gear for the last time, Gabe’s girlfriend Jessie (*Janine Turner*) asks him to help rescue five stranded hikers.

Unfortunately, those “hikers” are, in reality, a group of thieves led by Eric Qualen (*John Lithgow*). After stealing three cases containing $100 million, Qualen and his team lose the cash in the Rocky Mountains. After Gabe and his friend Hal (*Michael Rooker*) find the last case for Qualen, however, they will become expendable.

Set in the Colorado Rockies, much of Cliffhanger actually was filmed on Italy’s Mount Falzarago. Fearing that a full film crew would do some serious damage to the Rockies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would not let director Renny Harlin shoot his movie in the actual Rocky Mountains.

After years of getting punched in the boxing ring, Sylvester Stallone’s character in Cliffhanger takes even more physical abuse than Rocky Balboa ever did. In one early scene, Eric Qualen even takes Gabe’s mountain jacket to ensure that he will come back with the money or risk dying of exposure on the Rocky Mountains.

Cliffhanger also earned a listing in the Guinness Book of World Records because of one pricey mid-air stunt. Filmed in the United States, this stunt shows a man crossing between two planes at 15,000 feet. The film’s insurance company refused to insure a stuntman for this scene, so noted stuntman Simon Crane was paid a cool million to do the stunt just once.

With eye-popping footage, expensive stunts and Sylvester Stallone taking yet another onscreen beating, Cliffhanger is a great movie to watch in the warm comfort of your living room.

Resources:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106582/trivia

Before he became known as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, a young Michael J. Fox had a supporting role in Midnight Madness, an odd little comedy about an all-night scavenger hunt. This 1980 film was inspired by some creative, real-life scavenger hunts that still attract participants today.

An eccentric genius named Leon (Alan Solomon) comes up with a competition that he calls “The Great All-Nighter,” a scavenger hunt involving five teams of college students. Each team has to solve clues that Leon plants across the city of Los Angeles, and the first team to cross the finish line is declared the winner of the game. Without the benefit of cell phones or GPS tracking, the students had to use both their brains and brawn to win.

David Naughton, who would later star in An American Werewolf in London, plays Adam Larson, the leader of the Yellow Team. Adam and his teammates try to play fair, but they are going up against frat boys and science geeks who will do anything to win the game. Adam also has to deal with his rebellious little brother Scott, who is played by Fox.

Before it was released on VHS, Midnight Madness aired quite frequently late at night on cable stations in the early 1980’s. In what appears to be his first movie credit, Michael J. Fox gives an interesting performance as the troubled teenage Scott. He gets to prove that he’s valuable to his brother’s team, though, when they have to find a clue hidden inside an arcade game.

The whole concept of a city-wide scavenger hunt has some real-life equivalents. Road rallies, for instance, take place on some out-of-the-way roads, but teams have to decipher clues to navigate the course properly. A company in San Francisco also stages “The Go Game,” which can be used as a corporate team-building event or just as a way to have some fun with a group of friends.

If you can find it on a scavenger hunt through your television channels, Midnight Madness is a fun, goofy movie that, like the real-life version, is oddly addictive.

Resources:
http://www.thegogame.com/team/index.asp
http://www.tsdroadrally.com/

Want a fall festival you can really sink your teeth into? Then head south to the Georgia Apple Festival, held each October in the town of Ellijay in Gilmer County.

The festival is a paean to apples, with the football field arranged into streets with names like Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Jonagold. Everything apple can be found at this festival. And what’s more American that apple pie? Maybe apple fritters!

The whole apple thing started in the early 1900s, when farmers in Gilmer County planted some apple trees. In 1922, the county’s main crop, cotton, was attacked by the insect that nearly destroyed the south’s economy – the boll weevil. But by 1922, Gilmer County was producing enough apples to help keep the county’s economy from collapse, and the focus of their farming turned to apple orchards.

The festival offers a play area for children, with inflatable rooms filled with soft cushy balls, a climbing wall for older kids and teens, craftsmen of all kinds, and musical acts that include country, Gospel, and rock and roll. And don’t forget the apples. You’ll find apple fritters, fried apple pies, caramel apples, and more to eat, and apple dolls and apple art to buy.

The Georgia Apple Festival started in 1970, when local growers planned a fair to honor the fruit that saved the county. It’s grown astronomically since then, so go early and be prepared to walk a long way along the apple-named “streets.” Wear a cute pair of walking shoes like these darling Vianas from Tsubo to keep your tootsies comfy, and be environmentally conscious while you’re doing your shopping — bring along this Harvest Bag tote from Keen , made completely of recycled brown and white bags that would otherwise be in landfills, and big enough to hold all your purchases!

Even in Georgia, October evenings can be chilly, so bring a light jacket like this one from Patagonia, that combines classic fleece inside and out, with a wind-stopping layer sandwiched between. Enjoy the crisp air as you bite into a crisp apple or a warm fried pie, and you may never want to go home!

Ten years ago, Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez redefined moviemaking with “The Blair Witch Project,” a labor of love that turned into one of the highest grossing films of that year. According to the movie’s opening credits, three student filmmakers went into the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland to do some research on the “Blair Witch,” a local Burkittsville legend. The students allegedly disappeared in October 1994, but the footage they shot was recovered a year later.

Myrick and Sanchez reportedly assembled “The Blair Witch Project” from the recovered camcorder tapes. The shaky footage shows Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams camping out in the woods for their film project. Unfortunately, creepy images and sounds start tormenting the young filmmakers. The movie ends with jumbled footage and screaming before the screen finally goes blank.

Prior to the release of “The Blair Witch Project,” the movie’s publicists were conspicuously silent when asked if the film was real or fiction. The question was quickly answered in the Midwest when Heather Donahue appeared as a waitress in a series of commercials for Steak ‘n Shake restaurants. As it turns out, the three “student filmmakers” actually were recruited by the directors to play themselves in the film.

According to the cast members, Myrick and Sanchez handed Donahue, Leonard and Williams instructions on slips of paper prior to each day’s shooting. The instructions would say to do things such as “Start an argument” or “Don’t believe anything that Heather says.” This improvisation gave the film its realistic and chilly feeling, especially the famous scene where Heather Donahue is crying into the camera lens.

In many ways, “The Blair Witch Project” remains one of the purest horror films that uses an outdoor setting. In fact, Emily Riemer of “Paste Magazine” recently reported that Myrick and Sanchez are planning a sequel to their original film, which should be more faithful to the original than the disappointing follow-up in 2000.

Resources:
Paste Magazine, “Tenth Anniversary Sequel to ‘The Blair Witch Project’ in the Works,” Emily Riemer

Doing family crafts and projects in the great outdoors is a fun way to experience the wonders of the fall season. Sun prints and bookmarks can be made outdoors with a few supplies and help from nature. Gather the kids and the supplies below to get started. The sun print part of this particular project requires that it be a sunny fall day. If it’s cloudy, but nice enough to still be outside, no worries. The bookmarks can be made without the sun and can be made in conjunction with, or separate from the sun print project.

Sun Print Supplies:
Assorted colors and shapes of fall leaves
Colored construction paper of fall colors

Bookmark Supplies:
Assorted colors and shapes of fall leaves
Clear contact paper
A paper weight or heavy book

Sun Print Instructions:
Each child and parent should have a sheet of colored construction paper and an assortment of leaves. The leaves can be collected while doing the craft or perhaps from a previous nature walk . Each person can lay his or her sheet of paper in the sun and arrange the leaves how they want the pattern to appear. The paper will remain its original color where the leaves are placed and be lightened by the sun in uncovered areas. Leave the papers in the sun for the day. When the leaves are removed at the end of the day, a beautiful pattern will appear on the paper. Save the leaves for the bookmark project.

Bookmark Instructions:
Parents should pre-cut bookmark shapes into clear contact paper. When it’s time for this outdoor craft, parents can be sure everyone has an even amount. Two pre-cut bookmark shapes are necessary to make one bookmark. Be sure they’re wide enough to fit the sizes of leaves you will be using. There needs to be at least 1/4’‘ of space left without leaves on the edges. To do this outdoor craft, the first step is to peel away the protective cover from one bookmark shaped piece of contact paper. Then, stick the leaves to it in the order you wish. Next, place another over the top of that one and seal it. That’s it! Now, everyone can go read a book using their new fall bookmarks.

As the countdown to the first snow this winter begins, ski and snowboard enthusiasts are likely to be found planning their ski season. Season passes are often very cost effective for skiers that plan to spend a lot of time on the slopes, and so knowing which are the best ski resorts is important to any skier, new or seasoned.

Northern California is my personal favorite ski and snowboard destination, so will be the topic of my first of several postings. Northern California is ripe with ski resorts for all tastes, experience levels and budgets. That being said, one of my all-time favorite ski resorts in Northern California is Sugar Bowl.

Sugar Bowl Resort is located in Truckee, California, which makes it just about a three hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Rather than trek all the way to South Lake Tahoe, weekend skiers and snowboarders can make the shorter trip to Sugar Bowl.

Sugar Bowl is wonderful in part because of the tremendous variability in levels of difficulty. With 95 different runs, and 4 peaks, there are runs for everyone. This makes Sugar Bowl perfect for families with children just learning how to ski, and intermediate to advanced level parents. Additionally, Sugar Bowl has recently put in some terrain parks, which makes the resort attractive to snowboarders and skiers alike.

Another wonderful attribute of Sugar Bowl is that on General Admission days (all days before Christmas, and Mondays through Fridays through the peak season), all ticket and pass holders get a free group lesson! This opportunity is perfect for any skier or snowboarder looking to promote their skill-set or just have a nice tune up lesson. Sugar Bowl also offers a lot of classes for kids, giving parents a chance to try out some of the single and double black diamond runs.

If you’re someone that tends to suffer from cold hands, but you’re not ready to give up skiing or snowboarding, having a good warm pair of gloves is really paramount. Try these water resistant fleece-lined gloves during the colder months of the ski season.

Remember, just because the Sugar Bowl is in California doesn’t mean it doesn’t get really cold!

Even when the weather turns brisk, you can still pull your bicycle out of the garage and take it for a late afternoon spin through the park. When the urge to ride hits, slip on your bicycle helmet , let your mind shift into low gear and listen to these two-wheeled tunes on your iPod:

“Couldn’t We Ride” (Performed by Kermit and Miss Piggy)

Featured in the 1981 movie The Great Muppet Caper, Kermit and Miss Piggy sing this song about the joys of cycling while they take a ride through the park. Muppet creator Jim Henson and his son Brian were involved in the intricate mechanics involved in making two of Henson’s creations appear to ride bicycles.

“Santa’s Workshop” (Performed by Schwinntonation)

A Chicago group named Schwinntonation isn’t happy simply to write songs about bicycles. Using their two-wheelers, the group turns the sounds made by bicycles into musical tracks like “Santa’s Workshop” and “Tuneup for the Big Race.” The percussion effect created by their bicycles is oddly hypnotic.

“Bicycle Safety” (Performed by John Buchanan)

One track from his album Safety Songs, John Buchanan sings about the basics of bicycle safety to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.” Even the most experienced riders can always use a reminder about the basics.

“Broken Bicycles” (Performed by Tom Waits)

In this song from the soundtrack album to Francis Ford Coppola’s One from the Heart, Tom Waits sings about a love relationship that feels like an old bicycle. The relationship, like the bike, may be old, rusty and broken, but he simply doesn’t have the heart to throw it away.

“The Bicycle Song” (Performed by Uncle Andy)

A cautionary tale about cycling, Uncle Andy sings about the potential dangers that can occur if your ride your bicycle down a hill at 90 miles per hour. Suffice it to say, the singer goes to pieces—and so does his bicycle.

“Bicycle Race” (Performed by Queen)

The most universally recognized anthem about cycling, Queen performs this tune about a young man who wants nothing more out of life than to get on his bicycle and ride.

Resources:
http://bicycleuniverse.info/stuff/music.html
http://schwinntonation.googlepages.com/
http://www.songsforteaching.com/johnbuchanan/bicyclesafety.htm

Most surfers, snorkelers, and ocean swimmers know that sharks and currents aren’t the only hazards in ocean water. Jellyfish are becoming an increasing danger all over the world.

There are over 200 known species of jellyfish, and 70 of them sting. Jellyfish can detect changes around them, and react to changes. When they contact something solid, their reaction is to sting. The stinging mechanisms are nematocysts, capsules containing hollow coiled threads with barbs all along their length. There are hundreds of nematocysts on each tentacle and feeding arm of a jellyfish.

The most dangerous jellyfish is the sea wasp, a small box jelly found from Australia to Malaya. Their sting can be deadly because of the high toxicity of their venom. A person stung by a sea wasp can die within minutes, either from the toxin or from drowning because of the paralysis the sting causes. If you’re in those waters, wear a full-body wetsuit to survive.

Sea wasps aren’t in American waters but larger box jellyfish are. These jellyfish don’t have the dome or bell shape that characterizes the class. Their sting is very painful, and if they are swarming and you’re caught in the swarm, the number of stings can be lethal. If warnings are posted, or if you can see them, stay out of the water.

The other dangerous jellyfish is the Portuguese man-of-war. These aren’t true jellyfish, but have the characteristic dome shape. They’re recognizable by their blue color. Even dead ones washed ashore can sting. They’re increasing in number as ocean temperatures rise, and moving steadily north.

You can survive a jellyfish sting by treating it with vinegar, so carry a bottle or two of that along with your bottle of drinking water. Carry allergy medications in your pack too because allergic reactions are common. Drench the sting with vinegar, then wipe the area with sand or a towel. Don’t touch it as you could be stung as well. Get the injured person to a medical facility as soon as possible, especially if he’s showing signs of anaphylactic shock, such as having trouble breathing.

Everyone is going green these days, but Bruce Dern takes that concept to the extreme in Silent Running, a 1972 outer space thriller. In the not-so-distant future, scientists place the last remaining plant specimens on space freighters orbiting Saturn. Earth’s government plans to recall the ships at some point, with the expressed goal of reforest the planet.

Dern plays Freeman Lowell, the chief botanist on the freighter known as “*Valley Forge*.” A devoted ecologist, Lowell adopts one of the plant domes as his own, tending it with love and care. Tired of life in outer space, his sneering colleagues don’t understand Lowell’s reverence toward his “garden.”

When a message arrives from Earth, it tells the crew to destroy all the domes and return home. After watching the gleeful crew members blow up several domes, Lowell decides to take action. When they show up in his garden with a box of nuclear charges, Freeman Lowell makes a life-or-death decision between the plants and the people.

Although this film first arrived in theaters in 1972, Silent Running contains a powerful message that still has meaning today. Director Douglas Trumbull looks ahead to a time when mankind’s carelessness has destroyed the Earth’s flora and fauna. Even in the 21st Century, it is hard to imagine what kind of neglect would cause this kind of destruction.

Known for edgy characters, Bruce Dern turns in a complex performance as Freeman Lowell. Treating one dome like his private sanctuary, Lowell only eats fresh produce, rejecting the processed food favored by the rest of the crew. At times, he even gets down on his hands and knees to tend to his garden, almost like it was his backyard back home.

Silent Running also features three little droids who are way cooler than R2D2 and C3PO in Star Wars. Freeman Lowell names them “Huey, Dewey and Louie,” the same names as Donald Duck‘s nephews. With cool droids, great special effects and a powerful environmental message, Silent Running remains a classic film and one that everyone should see.

The fall season is a wonderful time of year for nature-oriented activities. Outdoor fall activities are a great way to stay active and nature can lend a helping hand in many ways. Leaves are changing into wondrous colors and the weather can be just the perfect temperature. Regularly participating in activities such as hiking, rock climbing, nature walks, camping, and other outdoor adventures can be a workout. It’s also fun and a great way to spend time with family and friends. One way to be sure you get these outdoor activities in regularly is to form a nature club.

Decide who you are interested in forming the club with. Will this be strictly for family? Are friends invited to participate in the activities? What are the age groups? There could be separate groups for adults and children or it could be all-inclusive. Some may prefer even to ask around the community and make it a more formal club. Decide also if there will be dues or if everyone will just pay their own way whenever there are any associated costs. Many nature venues, such as state parks are free or low-cost, but there may be equipment and supply costs or a number of other small fees.

Scheduling should be something to think about when making plans. The group can decide together on a schedule that best fits all participants. Think about how many times per week or month is ideal, as well as days and times. Also remember to consider holidays, as well as possible weather conditions. Some activities, such as kite flying, would be good on a windy day.

Some may choose to focus a club on one fall hobby or activity. Others may choose to be more versatile. Whatever option you go with, be sure the chosen activities fit the skill levels of your nature club members. A fun way to keep track of everyone while on nature excursions is to get custom-designed t-shirts and matching shoes. Just be sure the shoes are durable and comfy, as well as appropriate for certain activities. Nature activities can be hard on the feet without proper footwear.

Sources:

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/texas_parks_and_wildlife_pr...

Because of the natural beauty of the seasonal change, fall is a great time to travel. Ecotourism is quickly becoming a popular way to tour the world as people are looking for more innovative ways to decrease their carbon footprint on the earth. Historically, travel has been one of those things associated with polluting the land. But it doesn’t have to be. People all over the United states and around the world are working toward the common goal of making travel less harmful to the planet.

Ecotourism in the fall might consist of a green trip to Ireland. Go on walks along the ocean, through the forests and atop the cliffs. Ireland’s natural beauty is stunning and should be preserved. Ecotourism groups in Ireland may appreciate the hospitality of the locals, as they provide locally produced food and offer shelter in an eco-friendly guesthouse. Solar-powered hot water and geo-thermal underfloor heating are a part of the eco-friendly lifestyle. This is just one suggested ecotourism trip in Ireland. Research to find various options.

South Africa’s wildlife has in the past been threatened by hunters and poachers. Thanks to ecotourism, it is becoming much more common for people to aim toward protecting, rather than endangering wildlife. An ecotourism tour in South Africa might involve an eco-safari. In this adventure, eco-travelers can have the opportunity to take photographs of some of the most diverse and interesting wildlife in the world. The vast and protected lands are truly a wondrous sight. Natural colors of the fall season can also add to this one-of-a-kind ecotourism experience.

If you’d rather stay closer to home, there still are many ecotourism options. Think of becoming a volunteer to help clean up public areas such as city sidewalks and fields. Lakes and streams also can become polluted, especially in more populous areas. Do your part by not littering and also by helping to clean up these areas. This is a great way to get to know neighbors. Organize groups of people to work together in these eco-friendly efforts. There are many options available for ecotourism, both far and near. Location is not near as important as how far you are willing to stretch your personal efforts.

Sources:
http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/ecotours/south_africa/
http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/ecotours/ireland/tourism_pure_ireland.php
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2169355/travel_close_to_home_an...

If you think the deadliest wild animal is a grizzly bear, a wolf, or a cougar, you’re wrong. Each year, deer kill more humans than any other animal in North America. Deer range almost everywhere in North America, except for northern Canada and Alaska, and parts of Utah. They don’t attack humans as prey; they cause car accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are about 1.5 million car-deer accidents each year, and that number is rising. Those accidents kill about 150 people each year, although the number was higher in 2008 and the NHTSA expects it to be still higher in 2009. They cost at least $1.1 billion in property damage; in 1990, the cost was estimated to be over $100 million in Wisconsin alone, and Wisconsin isn’t in the top ten states for deer accidents.

Most deer-car accidents occur between October and December, which partly coincides with deer hunting season. It’s not hunting that causes the accidents, though; those three months are deer mating season. During the rest of the year, groups of deer have a fairly small home territory, and stay within it. In mating season, or “rut,” deer head out to find mates, and are more likely to stray onto roads.

So, what does that have to do with wilderness adventures? If you’ve been in the back country in the fall, you’ll probably be driving home. And you’ll probably see deer crossing signs on your route. Some drivers ignore them; a smart driver slows down, especially in the evening, and watches for deer. If you see one deer cross the road, expect more to follow and slow down accordingly. Insurance companies advise using your brights, and warn that deer whistles don’t work. Don’t swerve if a collision is unavoidable; you may hit another vehicle or a tree and cause more damage.

During the fall, wear a bright jacket to avoid becoming a hunter’s target. Good sturdy boots are also a must, and a bright flashlight of your own will help keep deer from your path. And drive carefully when heading home!